Unique Beauty Shines When You’re Single

There is a time in your life when you want to just blend in.  You want to look like everyone else,  dress like your peers, sound like your peers, and are mortified when the attention is all on you.  Or maybe that was just me.  But thank God, that time is short-lived.  Sometimes, it takes the support of others to put yourself out there, but, hopefully, you wean yourself from the need for a wingman.  There comes a time when you can unapologetically speak your truth.  You become uniquely you and are  proud of the things that make you shine, that make you stand out from the others.

At first glance, this looks like an Atta-Girl-Self-Help blog.  And, in typical form, there is a bit of truth in that.  But this is actually about the grape.  Specifically, the Single Vineyard variety.   Today is Wine Blogging Wednesday 75.  For over six years, fellow lovers of the vine have been sharing their insight about a variety of topics.  Today, Joe Roberts is hosting “Singles Night.”   I have been looking forward to it all month.  Unfortunately, a cold has conspired against me and my palate is shot, so I chose to adjust my original plan.  I had planned to taste a Wellington Cab that I have been holding, but I want to do it justice, so I went to a large supplier here in Austin to find something that was more readily available and less costly.  With some help, I chose 2007 Morandé Edición Limitada Carménère.

Carménère has been mistaken as a Cabernet Sauvignon clone in France.  It was thought to be a Merlot clone in Chile.  It was trying to blend in, but it is now being seen more for who it is on its own.  In fact, as old as the varietal is, it wasn’t recognized as a distinct variety in Chile until 1998.  It took some time for Carménère to step into the spotlight.

The grapes come from San Bernado Vineyard in The Maipo Valley which is temperate with a dry, hot summer and a rainy winter.  The soil is sand, stones, and clay with good drainage.   It is produced in small quantities and aged for 16 months in French Oak.

The color is a rich crimson with hues of violet as to be expected from Carménère.  The nose, well, I am the wrong person to ask right now, but it is spicy for sure.  I think it needs to open because I am getting a lot of alcohol.  The flavor, spicy and full-bodied.  Earthy leather and some black fruit that I can’t discern.  The finish is smoother than I expected from the nose.   Which has, in fact, softened with some air.  My co-taster (aka hubby) picked up black cherry, plum, cocoa.  I am a fan of Carménère, for sure.  I like how it is bold, yet drinkable.  The tannins a bit softer, but it is still sturdy.  Some that I’ve had were a bit harsh, with something to prove, but this one seems quite comfortable in its skin (ahem).  A smoky, smooth finish, this is one I would get again.

The beauty of Single Vineyards is, I think, in being able to compare them to one another as I did with the Rieslings at Lamoreaux Landing.  I wish I had another Carménère from a different vineyard to note the differences, although that might be wasted on me at this point in time.  The differences would have to be pretty pronounced for me to pick them up right now.

Blending is typically a beautiful thing when it is done right.  It can bring out the best in both grapes.  Rough edges can be smoothed.  What was a bit flat can be brought to life.  Too much acid can be softened.    When conditions get rough, even the sturdiest grapes need a partner.  A difficult season or a small harvest happens to the best of them.  But there are as many times when the right conditions allow, no, command that a grape is seen on its own.  In its purest form.  When it has a chance to shine.  When we can see why, given the right conditions, the proper care, it deserves to be seen for all that makes its beauty unique.

A Taste of Home-Lamoreaux Landing

A few weeks ago, I had my first weekend away since becoming a mom four years ago.  When the possibility of a weekend jaunt arose, it was clear where I wanted, no needed, to go-home.  Well, not quite home, but close.  Although I have been in Austin for nearly half of my life, Upstate New York will always be home. So a trip to the Finger Lakes, to visit one of my dearest friends, was just what I needed.

I had visited Ithaca in the mid-90s and had stopped at a winery, but was just learning about wine at the time, so I thought I would have my hosts pick a few possibilities.  I was intrigued by the wine offerings at Lamoreaux Landing, but knew that was going to be our destination after corresponding with one of the owners, Josh Wig.

Lamoreaux Landing sits above Seneca Lake with magnificent views and an inviting tasting room.  Towering windows,warm wood floors, great displays, and plenty of browsing room.  A space large enough to accommodate summer crowds, cozy enough to linger on a quiet winter day.  As impressive as the room is, it pales in comparison to the wines.

When tasting, I find that the host can make or break your experience. Laura, the Special Events Coordinator, was our host and could not have been better.  Warm, patient, knowledgeable and an all-around pleasure.    We started with the Riesling.  They do six Rieslings here, three are Single Vineyard.  All were fabulous.  The ’08 Reserve has a good balance of minerality and fruit- a touch of citrus and orange blossom. The ’10 had more of a lemony long finish.  The ’10 Semi Dry had softer, honeyed fruit and a long finish.  Of the Single Vineyards, Red Oak was our favorite.  Really big flavor.  Honeysuckle and pear, creamy and delicious.  Although grown so close geographically, each SV Riesling was so different.  Round Rock has a clean minerality (shale/slate) and a touch of gooseberries (I got currant or something, but borrowed gooseberries from their description).  Yellow Dog has more stone fruit , blossoms, and a touch of citrus.

Knowing my palate would only stand so much tasting, we skipped around after the Rieslings and tried a few that were new to me.  The 42 North was an interesting blend.  Mostly Moscato, this wine had fruit and floral notes with a touch of spice (coriander) and would be great with Thai.  The 08 Chardonnay was lovely.  Held  mostly in oak, it had the creamy roundness you would expect, but the time in stainless steel gives the fruit more of a chance to shine.  At $12.99 it is a bargain.  The Estate Red is another excellent bargain.  Cab Franc, Pinot, and Merlot.  Perfectly balanced and a perfect Monday wine at $11.99.  Finally, the big surprise for me was a 2009 T23 Cabernet Franc.  An unoaked Cabernet Franc.  I have never had anything like it.  It has all the big fruit, earthy herbs that you would expect from a Cab Franc and yet, it had a light finish.  Cranberry and soft tannins, this wine would be really versatile in pairings.  Big enough, but not too big for about anything.  Really interesting wine.

When we headed out to Lodi, I had read the accolades in popular publications.  I was impressed by the property. I was rooting for my home state so I was really hopeful that I would like the wine.  I didn’t just like the wine, I LOVED the wine.  I was blown away by the quality for the price point.  I tried things that were completely new to me and was tickled by the depth and variance in the Single Vineyard Rieslings.  And to top it all off, the people were as delightful as the wine.  I cannot recommend this winery enough.  I’d like to say the day was without but disappointment, but there was one.  A big one.  They can’t ship to Texas.  Devastating.  But all the more reason to head back home.